R-09-03-12-8A1 - 3/12/2009RESOLUTION NO. R -09-03-12-8A1
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROUND ROCK,
TEXAS:
The Council approves the City of Round Rock's Federal
Legislative Program, as set forth in Exhibit A.
The City Council hereby finds and declares that
of the date, hour, place and subject of the meeting
Resolution was adopted was posted and that such meeting was open to
the public as required by law at all times during which this
Resolution and the subject matter hereof were discussed, considered
written notice
at which this
and formally acted upon, all as required by the
Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, as amended.
RESOLVED this 12th day of March, 2009.
ATTEST:
SARA L. WHITE, City Secretary
0:\wdox\RESOLUTI\R90312A1.DOC/rmc
Open
Meetings Act,
ALAN MCGRAW, Mayor
City of Round Rock, Texas
City of Round Rock, Texas
Federal Legislative Program
1
2
FM 1460 (University Boulevard to
Old Settlers Boulevard)
Brushy Creek Regional Water
Supply
$27,000,000
$27,000,000
$10,800,000
$65,687,431
$58,046,682
$14,067,067
3
RM 620 Union -Pacific Railroad
Overpass
4
Downtown Main Street Revitalization
$24,000,000
$24,000,000
$9,600,000
$3,300,000
$3,300,000
$928,000
5
6
Police Department Technical and
Tactical Equipment
Commuter Rail Link Advanced
Planning and Alternatives Analysis
$608,000
$608,000
$304,000
$1,000,000
$1,000,000
$500,000
TOTAL COSTS
EXHIBIT
IIle
Page 1 of 2
$113,954,682
$36,199,067
City of Round Rock
Request for change in federal language
Federal Transit Laws are codified in 49 USC Chapter 53. This request would be
to amend Section 5307 — Urbanized Area Formula Grants definition (F) to include
local government authorities in the Austin, Texas urbanized area that lie outside
the service area of the principal public transportation agency to utilize Section
5307 funds for operating costs on the same basis as small urbanized areas.
This particular- language has already been included for the Houston, Texas local
government authorities that lie outside of the service area of the principal
Houston public transportation agency.
Explanation:
Under the current rules relating to urbanized areas over 200,000, the City of
Round Rock is required to use any federal 5307 (transit formula) funds the same
way Capital Metro does — for capital expenditures only. As a result, the City of
Round Rock can only use such funds for the following three FTA categories with
regard to providing actual bus services: capital cost of contracting, preventative
maintenance, and spare parts for capital maintenance.
Of those categories, only the capital cost of contracting (CCC) would make any
sense for what Round Rock wants to do. CCC allows Round Rock to purchase
service from a private -sector, 3rd party provider and reimburses the City up to
80% of 50% of the total contract. However, Round Rock currently provides
demand response service through a contract with CARTS, which is NOT a
private -sector provider. Consequently, Round Rock is not able to use the CCC
provisions for this service and will not for the life of the contract. Moreover,
since Round Rock does not own any vehicles, the preventative maintenance and
spare parts funds would not be useful. And even if the City did own vehicles,
their federal financial support needs would surely go beyond vehicle
maintenance.
The reality is, most small urban areas (under 200,000) that provide public
transportation services are allowed to utilize 5307 to support general operating
expenditures. Operating expenses are matched on a 50/50 basis under the 5307
program for small urban and rural areas. However, Round Rock is part of the
Austin urbanized area and therefore is not allowed this benefit, even though they
do not receive services from Capital Metro. If granted this exception, Round
Rock would have more flexibility and be able to allocate funds more effectively.
The funds could be used to support the existing CARTS contract or start up a
new circulator service in downtown, any capital items, and planning.
EXHIBIT
nAn
Page 2 of 2
DATE: March 5, 2009
SUBJECT: City Council Meeting — March 12, 2009
ITEM: 8A1. Consider a resolution approving the City's Federal Legislative Program.
Department: Administration
Staff Person: Cindy Demers, Assistant City Manager
Tom Word, Chief of Public Works
Justification:
As part of the City's federal legislative activities, the City has identified and prioritized a list of critical
projects for the FY 2010 federal appropriations process. This list includes projects that support City
priorities, leverages funds, creates jobs in the community and provides benefits for a maximum number
of citizens and legislative constituents.
In addition to the list of projects, the City is submitting a request for a change in federal transit laws
Section 5307 to allow Round Rock to utilize federal funding for transit operations beyond capital costs.
Funding:
Cost: N/A
Source of funds: N/A
Outside Resources: Capitol Partners
Background Information:
N/A
Public Comment:
N/A